Lumber-guide.



NICOLAS JOHNSON, YOE EUREKA, CALIFORNIA.

LUIVIBER-GUIDE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J une 12, 1.917.

Application filed January 29, 1917, Serial No, 145,197,

To all 107mm 'it magl/ concer/lt:

Be 1t known that I, NICOLAS JOHNSON, a

citizen of the United States, residing at` Eureka, in the county of Humboldt and State of California, have invented a new and useful Lumber-Guide, of which the following is a specification.

The device forming the subject matter of this application is adapted to be employed for aiding in the piling of lumber, and particularly green lumber.

The invention aims to provide a device of this kind adapted to be assembled with a lumber pile, and to upstand above the lumber pile, a rotatable element being supplied, over which an operator standing on the top of a lumber pile may draw a board, before the board is'laid in place on the top of the pile.

The invention aims to improve the construction of the rotatable element across which the board is drawn, to provide novel means for upholding the rotatable element, to provide novel means whereby the structure which carries the rotatable element may be mounted detachably on a lumber pile and, further, to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the present invention appertains.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment ofl the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings z- Figure 1 shows in front elevation, a de-' vice constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken approximately on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, a portion of a lumber pile being shown as an added detail; and

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken approximately on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

In carrying out the present invention there is provided a frame including a pair of parallel side members 1 united intermediate their ends by a bar 2 which may have forwardly presented feet 3 attached by securing elements 1 to the side members 1. The side members 1 are united p adjacent their upper ends by a tie rod 5 the ends of which pass through the side members 1, nuts 6 on the ends of the rod constituting means for holding the same on the side members 1.

Journaled for rotation in the upper ends of the side members 1 is a roller 7 which is a composite structure. The roller 7 includes a tubular shell 8 which may be a piece of pipe. Into one end of the shell 8 is inserted a plug 9, the same being held in place by a securing element 10. The plug 9 has a trunnion 11 journaled for rotation in one of the side members 1. Into the other end of the shell 8 is inserted a plug 12 held in place by a securing element 14. A ratchet wheel 15 is formed integrally with the plug 12, and the ratchet wheel 15 is provided with a reduced trunnion 16 journaled in the other side member 1. Connected with the last specified side member 1 is a spring pawl 17 engaging the ratchet wheel 15, the spring pawl 17 having a laterally extended foot 18 united with the adjacent side member 1 by means of securing elements 19.

Supports are mounted on the intermediate bar 2, for adjustment longitudinally thereof and transversely of the frame. Each support includes a head 20 inclosing the bar 2 closely but slidably, and a forwardly presented arm 21 provided with a depending prong 22.

In Fig. 2 of the drawings, some of the constituent boards of the lumber pile have been shown at 23, the same being spaced apart in the common and well known manner by means of strips 24, to permit air to enter between the boards.

In practical operation, the arms 21 of the supports are inserted between certain of the boards 23 of the pile, the depending prongs 22 engaging the board therebeneath. The side members 1 of the supporting frame abut against the edge of the lumber pile, as clearly disclosed in Fig. 2. An operator standing on the ground places a board in an upright position against the roller 7, and an voperator standing on top of the lumber pile draws the board across the roller 7 and places the board on the pile, the roller 7 obviously, aiding in the manipulation of the board by the operator on the pile. The spring pawl 17, coacting with the ratchet wheel 15, prevents a retrograde robar 2.

tation of the roller 7, and a consequent downward sliding of the board, should the operator on top of the pile temporarily relaX the pull on the board. The side members 1 of the frame engage the, outer edge of the lumber pile above the supports 20-21 and, consequently, the upper end of the frame will not tilt toward the operator on top of the pile, when the board is drawn inwardly, to be placed on top of the pile. It is to be observed that the side members 1 constitute guides against which th' outermost boards may be placed, as the pile is built up, thereby assuring that the vpile will stand vertically when completed. l/Vhen the boards have been piled up suiiiciently, the frame made up of the side members 1 and attached parts may be raised slightly, thereby detaching the prongs 22, whereupon the frame may be pulled outwardly and raised up, the arms 21 subsequently being inserted between the boards 23 of the pile, in a position above that which they formerly as-. sumed. In this way, the lumber pile can be built up to any desired height.

There is an important advantage arising out of the fact that the supports 20-21 may.l

be adjusted toward and away from each other, longitudinally of the intermediate Owing to this construction, the prongs 22 may be shifted so as to clear knot holes, hard knots into which the prongs may not penetrate readily, ice accumulating between the boards and affording an insecure hold for the prongs, and the like.

The tie rod 5 serves to unite the side members 1 adjacent the roller 7 and prevents the side members from springing apart and releasing the trunnions 1l and 16 of the roller 7 Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is In a device of the class described, a pair of side rails; a roller journaled in the upper ends of the side rails; a rod connecting the side rails near the roller and constituting means for preventing the side rails from springing apart and releasing the roller; a bar connecting the side rails and located below the rod, the bar being of polygonal cross section; and an outstanding support disposed substantially at right angles to the plane deiined by the rails, the support being provided at its outer end with a depending prong, and being provided at its inner end with a polygonal head mounted against rotation on the polygonal bar, but slidable longitudinally thereon, to permit the prong to be adjusted with respect to the side rails.

In testimony that I- claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afliXed mysignature in the presence oftwo witnesses.

NICOLAS JOHNSON.

Witnesses:

PETER S. HELsTRoisr, KNUT TELLEFsoN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

